Orissa Review June - 2009

Evolution of Religious Rituals in Shree Mandir

Prafulla Chandra Sahoo

Resume of the Shree Mandir Sri Balabhadra, Sri Subhadra and Sri Sudarshan The sacrosanct temple, where in Lord of are present. Another miniature wooden replica the Universe Sri Jagannath with his elder borther of Sri Jagannath, called Madhav also is present. Sri Balabhadra and sister Sri Subhadra is Besides these, there are two metal female images worshipped from time immemorial is reverentially of Shree Devi and Bhu Devi on both the sides of called Sri Mandir. Not only in Orissa or in India, Lord Jagannath. A total of seven deities are this temple in widely acclaimed throughout the worshipped on the throne. Devotees from a world for its own grandeur and distance can call a clear visual mystic acceptability. No doubt the image of only Lord Balabhadra, temple is aesthetically graceful for Devi Subhadra and Lord its artistic and sculptural beauty but Jagannath and Shree Sudarshan the nomenclature is not justified from the south to the north of the without recounting the sitting throne. In between Lord reminiscenses of its deep past. Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath According to the scriptures it was in the middle is seated Devi known as Srikshetra, Sri Tirtha, Sri Subhadra. A devotee bowing and Dham and subsequently widely touching his head on Garuda pillar accepted as Sri Mandir, the deluxe can only see Devi Subhadra from divine abode of Sri, the Goddess the mid-portion of the Garuda of wealth, luxury and lustre, who Stambha. Preceptors and is the energy consort of Lord like Ramanuj have had eulogical Jagannath and hence the name Sri Mandir. That prayers to Devi Subhadra as Shree or Lakshmi, ancient temple is not the present day's edifice of the consort of Lord Jagannath and hence the name Lord Jagannath, which subsequently is of the temple, "Shree Mandir." transformed and developed in course of time. Shree Devi is at present worshipped in a beautiful The above said four wooden deities are north-western separate temple, called worshipped by some philosophers jointly as Mahalakshmi Temple. Param Brahma or the Absolute Supreme Being. Deities of Sanctum Sanctorum According to them Sri Jagannath is symbolic of Supreme, Devi Subhadra represents Maya, the On the jewelled throne of the sanctum illusion and Sri Balabhadra as Jiva or Mortal soul. sanctorum four wooden idols of Sri Jagannath, When Brahma or the Supreme Soul is enlivened

47 Orissa Review June - 2009 by Maya, the illusory energy, the universe is As one is to observe certain procedures created. Therefore from the consummation of Sri like washing hands and taking seat etc. before Jagannath, the Param and Devi Subhadra, the taking food, series of procedures are observed Maya, the Jiva, Sri Balabhadra is thriving in the methodically before Amuniah is offered to the whole of creation. The joint worship, therefore, divine deities which are called Paddhati. of the deities is worship of the Supreme. They Offerings to the God are called "Upachar" represent the core of the primordial sound, i.e and five '' like Gandha (sandle paste), the Pranab , . Puspa (flower), Dhoop (aromatic air), Deep According to the Sakta Cult, the all (earthen or metalic lamp), and Neivedya pervading one and only energy in Shree Devi or (edibles)are offered to the divine deities in Gopala Adya Mahalakshmi, who, when wills to create Ballabh (break fast), Bhogamandap (special universes, divides Herself to three cosmic powers, ) and Bada Singhar (supper). i.e. Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, Sakala Dhoop (morning - offering of food), who symbolise Sri Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Madhyahna Dhoop (lunch) and Sandhya Dhoop Sri Balabhadra respectively. Those three cosmic (dinner) consist of sixteen upacharas. They are - powers produced three pairs of opposite sexes; Asana, Swagat, Padya, Arghya, Achamana, i.e. Mahakali produced the pair of Shiva and Madhuparka, Punarbara Achamana, Snana, Saraswati, Mahalakshmi produced Brahma and Gandha, Bastra, Alankar, Puspa, Dhoop, Deep, Lakshmi and Mahasaraswati gave birth to Bishnu Naivedyha and Aratrika. Since sixteen types of and Gouri. As directed by the original offerings are tended, this is called Sodash Upachar Mahalakshmi unions of Brahma and Saraswati Puja. For every separate material and created the universe; Vishnu and Lakshmi offerings are defined. For example - let us take sustained the universe and Shiva and Gouri 6th Upachara, i.e. Madhupark. When in a brass destroyed it. So worshiped on the jewelled throne, pot, honey, and curd are kept together and Sri Jagannath represents Vishnu, Balabhadra the pot is covered with another brass-pot, it is denotes Shiva and Subhadra symbolises Brahma. defined as Madhuparka. But without Sanskar or Similarly, Shaivaites worship the deities as Shiva Purification, no Upachara is offered to God. and Buddhists as Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. It is clear that who so ever prays and worships in By Bikshana, Prokshana, Tadana, whatever form or faith, the boon is accordingly Abagunthana, Dhenumudra, Mahamudra and awarded; so elastic is the Jagannath cult and faith. eight times counting of the original mantra, the Upacharas are purified. Besides that Dusmudra Worshipping Rituals or ten types of interwining of fingers and hands The offering of prepared edibles or like Abahana, Sthapana, Sannidhana, Sannirodha, Amunihan to the divine deities is called Naibedya, Sakalikarana, Abagunthana, Dhenumudra, when the entire process itself is Puja. The Amrutikarana, Mahamudra, Paramikarana, are Naibedya after being offered to the God becomes required in the Puja. The mechanism of Mudras Prasad. This Prasad or part of it is reverentially are extensively described in scriptures but to avoid partaken by the priests, devotees or by others in elongation, all the mudras are not detailed here. other common temples, where as it is honoured But Dhenu Mudra is required in both and hence as Mahaprasad (after the prasad is re-offered to its mechanism is exhibited here. Right hand's index Devi Vimala with leaves of the marmelos tree) in finger and ring finger, when both are joined with Shree Mandir and is partaken together by all from left hand's middle and little finger and right hand's scavengers to Brahmins without any hesitation. middle finger and little finger are united with left

48 Orissa Review June - 2009 hand's index and ring fingers, it becomes The Pujaka, whether in Panchupachara or Dhenumudra. Sodash upachara puja purifies the place, sitting mat, his body, soul and mind when he attends to Three Dhoopas of Sakala Dhoop, the puja, serially from purification of sitting mat, Madhyahna Dhoop, Sandhya Dhoop besides to the Matrukanyash. In them purifying Mantra, Bhogamandap Bhoga and Bada Singhar Bhoga Rishi, and Chhandadevata i.e. godly rhyme are of the divine deities consist of cooked rice, curries, respectively borne in the head face and heart. It payas and varieties of cakes. Rice and curries is called Rushyadi Nyasa. are not offered in Gopalaballabha Bhoga. The additional Bhoga or Bhoga Mandapa Bhoga is Every divine image has its own fundamental not offered in the sanctum sanctorum, but is mantra; which is divided to vedic and tantric puja offered in Bhogamandap house. Leaving aside of the God. This fundamental mantra is cast on that fruits and dried foods like Kora and Khai the body of the divine image. A Pujak is to implant (sweetmeat balls and parched paddy-flower) are life in to the body of the image as if he was doing offered in the Nata Mandir or Dancing Hall. The so for his own body. Pujak or the priest offers these after purifying the After external Matruka, Sri Balabhadra's Naibedya, which is called Sarpamanohi. Sri Kanthadi Nyasa, Devi Subhadras' Kala Nyasa Those who offer all the Upacharas and and Sri Jagannatha's Keshavadi Nyasa are Naibedya are called Pujakas or Archakas. Since separately executed. Tatwa Nyasa, Pitha Nyasa, these Puja-procedures belong to divine oblation, Mantra Nyasa, Srusthi, Sthiti and Sanhar Nyasa, there is no denying if they are called Acharyas, Murtipanjar Nyasa etc. are executed respectively who. It is said in the scriptures that one should be by the Pujak. In these Nyasas, time permitting, fifty alphabets are entrusted to the fingers, various divine to worship a divine-deity. So Pujakas are parts of the body and on the whole of the body. always purified ones. A purified person is So they are called Kara Nyasa (Hand Nyasa), reflected in the deity. A purified Pujaka after Anga Nyasa (part of the body Nyasa) and getting up from sleep, proceeds to the temple after Sarbanga Nyasa (whole body Nyasa). The above attending to his purification by ablution, vandan, said Nyasas include Rushyadi Nyasa and Dhyana Tarpan and Vaishwadeva etc. with clean cloths. (meditation). Similarly, divine deities, after getting up from sleep are to pass through Dwaraphita (opening of the The divine deities on the jewelled throne temple-door), Mangala Alati (propitious waving are not metal or stone images. They are wooden of light before the divine image), Mailam idols and hence are liable to be disfigured if are (unwrapping the ornaments) and Vesh Ullagi bathed or washed. Therefore, reflection of the (undressing the garments). The Abakash or the images in mirrors made of an amalgamation of morning ablution and brushing, bathing etc are eight metals are bathed and washed during Puja. symbolically observed by the divine images, after After every Dhoop and before the other which they are dressed up with cleaned cloths Dhoop, the ornaments and cloths are changed, and offered Gandha, Puspa, flower and which is called Mailam. The images are thereafter, ornaments. After this purification, Vaishnab decorated with new clothings and ornaments, Agnee, Surya Puja (sun-worship) and Dwarapala which is called Besha Lagi or Beshabadhiba. Puja (worshipping the gate-keeper) are attended Besides Upacharas, Alatis after every Dhoop, to. Then only Pujak performs Gopal Ballabha Puja Mangala Alati during every morning hours and in which Sankhudi or cooked food is not offered. Aratrik Alati in the evening and before the images

49 Orissa Review June - 2009 retire for sleep are offered. They are called Alphabets of Aa + Gat + Ma, 'Aa' is the first Sandhya Alati and Pahuda Alati respectively. alphabet of the word 'Agata' (has come) which These traditional usages are defined as has come from Shiva's mouth; 'ga' is the first Nityarchana laws. alphabet of the word 'Gata' (gone into) which has Sources of Puja Paddhaties gone in to the Uma's mouth and 'Ma' is the first alphabet of the word 'Mata' (theory) which Nigam, Agam and Lokachera or folk denotes to the theory of Basudeva Krishna. customs are sources of these puja Paddhaties or procedures. Veda and Tantra are known as Therefore, this Aagama or Tantra Sastra is Nigam and Agam respectively; both of whom divided to three types - Shaiva Tantra, Sakta accept folk customs as per the culture of the soil, tantra and Vaishnaba Tantra. There is more than time and person. one Acharas in Tantric law, out of which Bamachara (leftic way and Kaulachara (traditional Dharma (Religions customs binding the family way) are vital ones. As this Bamachara is society) Artha (money for the sustainance of life), anti-Vedic, it is disdained or shunned by the Kama (biological need for procreation) and Vaishnaba Tantra. Let us take Bamachara's Moksha (Salvation from the cycle of birth and death.) are called Chaturbarga or four essentials Pancha 'Ma' kar Puja for example - of life. Puja Anusthan or worshipping organisation In Bamachara way of worship, Pancha is a Dharmanusthan or religious organisation. 'Ma' kara (five Ma) of Madya (wine), Mansa There is no scarcity of wealth for the maintainance (meat), Matsya (fish), Mudra (interwining of of life for a religious organiser. One resorting to fingers) and Maithuna (sexual co-habitation) have true way of life is called "Dharmik". So say the been accepted as five direct ingredients of offerings scriptures that Dharma is born of righteous to the god; whereas alternatively Vaishnachar customs. Wealth be got through simple way of symbolically offers green water in a brass life is honestly earned. So truthful aspiration easily vessel, Jaiphala (Muristica Fragrance) paste- bears fruit without claiming to be religious and water in reddish earthen pot, fried ginger and not boasting of his possessions and not striving to green-gram cake etc. as Naibedya. fulfill his desires, one who does his duty unattached gets his Nirvan or escapes from the clutches of Yantra, Tantra and Mantra are important rebirth. components of Tantrik scriptures. A divine The Veda has not expounded exactly like practiser is Sri Sadhak, and the holy place of this. But to derive the result, one is to worship the practice is Sri Sadhana Pitha and the divine image god through Yagna i.e. sacrificial fire. The divisions inside the Sri Sadhanapitha is called Siddha and procedures of sacrificial and fire are Yantra or enlivened Machine. Therefore, available from the Vedas practical methods. Srikshetra (Puri) Sri Mandir (Jagannath temple) and the sanctum sanctorum of the temple are as a When this much only is available from whole, known to be a Siddhapitha. In the sanctum Nigam or Vedic writings, different styles of worship of different gods are detailed in Agam or sanctorum, divine deities are worshipped in lieu Tantras. Various sages, saints and Acharyas have of yantra. As a well versed and trained Yantrik or created mainly 64 Tantric scriptures, like Pancha Engineer is able to operate the yantra or machine; Ratna and Yamal etc. in their own styles; including a true disciple of a true preceptor, similarly can number of sub-Tantras. The Tantrik scriptures are worship the divine images. His style of worship called Aagama, which is a mixture of three as guided by is called Tantra.

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The Yantra as aforesaid is man-made and by right Guru, he becomes a Vaishnaba. Truthful artificial. The deities are Siddha Yantra, enlivened thoughts and good manners are reflected in his by rigorous Sadhana or spiritual practice of many character. Being Vaishnavite he worships Brahma, a Yagi, sage and saints. When an artificial machine Vishnu and Maheswar with Tulsi leaves (Holy is operated by human or electrical energy; Siddha basil plant) and hence - there is no bar in offering Yantra is operated by divine power. The Naibedya to Sri Balabhadra Devi Subhadra and worshipped image is capable of immense inherent Sri Jagannath with Tulsi leaves. Kaulachar or power. The Sadhak or worshipper by his own family tradition is in his heritage. In tantric spiritual practice, acquires that divine power and scriptures Kula is shakti and Akula is Shiva; and does not face any problem in operating he Siddha their union is Kaula. Hence the conduct or Yantra. This spiritual practice as a whole is Tantra. tradition based on this realisation is called A strong and secured house is constructed Kaulachar. for the establishment of Yantra. For the Evolution of Jagannath Cult. habitational of the divine deities in Srikshetra's the prevalent worshipping laws Nilachala Holy Pitha, Sri Mandir has been built. notwithstanding it can be summerised as It is clear that divine image, Sri Kshetra and the following - holy pitha are in place of yantra and the pujak is in place of tantra; but the mantra (recitation of 1. From the beginning of time immemorial, Sri holy words invoking the God) is Guru's gift; which Devi or Mahalakshmi was worshipped in this is Pujakas main instrumental assistant. So Guru is Pitha or holy place by its founder - preceptor elevated to the divine glory of Lord Brahma, Lord Parshuram. The sage Medha worshipped the Vishnu and Lord Maheswar. It is therefore explicit Goddess for many years and this holy place was that Guru is in Mantra, Pujak or Sadhak is Tantra Medha's hemitage then : In course of time kings and the divine image is in yantra. and Rulers came to know of the Goddess and Pujak, the Worshipper when they derived the desired boons from her worship, built a temple reputedly known after her Pujaka is not ordinary human; as aforesaid. as Shree Mandir. That Sri Devi flanked by two The Puja-laws may be different as per Shaiva, elephants on both of her sides is reverentially Shakta and Vaishnaba Variation; but the Pujaka attributed as Gaja Lakshmi. is all in one - Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava. He is brahmin, good charactered, honest, popular 2. During Sri Devis' years of worship, and divine like God. He primarily worships Vedic Madhav - worship was initiated. Madhav, the Mother - Gayatree. So he is Shakta. In course of husband of the pre-dominant mother, is usually time he attains the wisdom of realisation that he Vishnu image. Since Sri Devi was the main - himself is Shiva, and hence he is Shaiva. For Goddess, separate temple with a separate example - Ten gods are worshipped in Veda and platform and throne were built for Madhav. That eleven Rudras belong to them. Gyanendriyas Madhav was subsequently attributed as Sri (wisdom-senses) are five and Karmendriyas Nrusingh, Sri Nila Madhav and Sri Purusottam (working senses) are five who are titled as Rudras. (the best male for the one and only mother) Besides them Prana (life-force) is the eleventh worshipped at different stages in various forms. Rudra. Both Shiva and Rudra are inseparable and 3. When Sri Devi and Madhav were with this realisation it makes the Pujaka a Shaiva. worshipped separately Buddhist tantra's powerful In the course, after going through Veda and other influence increased so much that they worshipped scriptures and being indoctrinated in the Mantra Tara and Bhairabi alongwith Sri Devi. Since

51 Orissa Review June - 2009 elephant and lotus were their national symbols, 8. In the beginning, the wooden deities were Buddhists had no objection to accept enlivened and worshipped in Gundicha temple, Gajalakshmi. Hence all three deities were who were brought to the present day temple (Sri worshipped together for many years. Mandir) after the new one was constructed and 4. Gradually Buddhist influence was humbled as aforesaid Mahalakshmi, Dakshina Kali and and the three images of Tara, Sri Devi and Bhairabi Bimala were shifted to other temples. were worshipped by Brahminic followers and The prevalent worshipping rituals of the holy Dakhina Kali, Mahalakshmi, and Bimala. The trinity are idealistic specimen for the people of present day temple was not there then. The temple Orissa. Customs and manners of Oriyas are housing the three female images was, in those influenced by humanised treatment bestowed to times, south facing on whose remnants, the the deities. Orissa's culture and civilisation are present day Ratna Bhandar or the Treasure- founded on this. People of the country and abroad house has been constructed. From those times of consider the culture of Orissa, as that of Lord Buddhist - Tantrics, monolatrous worship came Jagannath, which provides necessary moral to an end and several deities came to be protection to their day to day life, inculcating a worshipped. sense of divine devotion in them. Equality and 5. Brahminic religion started worshipping fraternity of all caste, creed and religion are the conjugal or multiple images, resulting in embracing culture of Sri Jagannath. In brief, Orissa worshipping of Durga Madhav, Lakshmi - is Sri Jagannath and Sri Jagannath is Orissa. Nrusingh, Shiva-Parbati etc. developing ultimately As a result of accomplishment of rigorous in the worship of seven deities on the jewelled - spiritual endeavour of innumerable ascetics, sages, throne of Sri Mandir. saints and Acharyas, Sri Jagannath, Sri Subhadra 6. Earlier images were of stone or metal, who and Sri Balabhadra are worshipped in Shree were subjected to direct worshipping rituals like Mandir, representing Brahma (the supreme), bathing and brushing of teeth etc; unlike present Maya (the illusion) and Jiva (the mortal being). day's reflections in a metalic mirror. Because of Devotees throughout the world worship them as Buddhistic influence male and female images were Omnipotent Absolute Supreme manifested in the treated as brothers and sisters, examplified in to- Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswar for day's Durga-Madhav worship. Similarly Sri strusti (the creation), sthiti (the existence) and Jagannath and Devi Subhadra are worshipped on Pralaya (the total destruction) respectively. Daru the throne as brother and sister. Brahma Jagannath responds to the frantic prayers of distressed persons all around the universe; 7. Acharya Sankar worshipped the notwithstanding their faith or religion. He is Purusottam image as Shiva but Acharya Ramanuj therefore, truely Sri Jagannath, the Lord of the worshipped Sri Jagannath and Devi Subhadra as Universe. Narayan and his consort Lakshmi. During the (The original text in Oriya by Mahamohapaddhyaya Pandit Harihar Mohapatra, Puri has been middle period of both the Acharyas, the present recreated in English by the author.) day's temple has been built and it is, instead of being south facing is east facing. Sri Balabhadra, Sri Subhadra and Sri Jagannath were unitedly worshipped as Purusottam, who in course of time Prafulla Chandra Sahoo lives at Budhima Lane, were divided to three entities. Duttatota, Puri

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